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Maureen McTeer to be awarded Honourary Doctorate of Laws

TORONTO, July 17 /CNW/ - Canadian lawyer and author Maureen McTeer will
be awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Laws from the University of Sheffield at
its Convocation on July 22nd. The honour is offered for her work in
international law, public policy, and ethics, and is the first honourary
doctorate which the University of Sheffield has conferred upon a Canadian
woman.
An internationally renowned expert in the field of bioethics, women's
health, law and public policy, Ms. McTeer earned a Masters degree in
Biotechnological Law and Ethics from the University of Sheffield in 2004. Her
thesis discussed the issues of patents on human genetic material.
"I am deeply honoured by the University of Sheffield's recognition of my
work in law, science and public policy," said Ms. McTeer. "Among the toughest
challenges of our generation is how we identify and frame the evolving debate
between human rights and scientific progress that are inherent in medical
technology and research. The University of Sheffield is at the forefront of
many of these debates."
Ms. McTeer holds a Bachelor of Arts and LL.B. from the University of
Ottawa and a Masters in Law from the Health Law Institute at Dalhousie
University. She has practised law in Ottawa and Toronto and is an Adjunct
Professor at the Faculty of Common Law of the University of Ottawa. She was a
member of Canada's Royal Commission on New Reproductive Technologies
(federal); is the Patron of Osteoporosis Canada; and is the public member of
the National Council of the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and
the Canadian Foundation for Women's Health. Her best-selling books include
Tough Choices: Living and Dying in the 21st Century, and autobiography In My
Own Name.
About the University of Sheffield
The University of Sheffield was founded in 1897 and received its Royal
Charter in 1905. With close to 30,000 students from 116 countries, the
University excels at both teaching and research with a research and an annual
turnover of more than 300 million pounds. It is a member of the Russell Group
of nineteen research-led universities in the U.K. and boasts five Nobel
laureates among its former staff and students. It remains a centre of
innovation and research including in steel, aerospace technology;
biotechnology, law, and education.